Vina del Mar Chile Tourism & Travel Information Hotels Tours Airport Transfers

Vina del Mar					Chile

Vina del Mar Travel Information

About Vina del Mar

Vina del Mar is a famous seaside city, located in the 5th Region of Chile, only 120 Km. (74.5 mi. ) away from Santiago and 9 Km. (5.5 mi.) away from Valparaíso (see map). Its architecture, street layout, and even its vegetation (palm trees and Araucaria) reproduce the style of such seaside cities as Biarritz, Trouville, and Cannes in early twentieth century Europe (see photos).

Vina del Mar maintains the magnificence of old last-century mansions and casonas (big houses): Wulff Castle, the city’s Museum of Fine Arts, Subercaseaux House, and the city’s Casino, among others.

Vina del Mar has several parks, such as Quinta Vergara, Laguna del Sausalito, the Sporting Club, and the National Botanic Garden, thanks to which it is known as "La Ciudad Jardín" (The Garden City) (see photos).

In addition to its green spaces, Vina del Mar offers 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) of vast beaches, such as Caleta Abarca, Renaca, Cochoa, and Playa Amarilla, which melt perfectly with the intense urban life.

Hotels in Vina del Mar

Hotels in Vina del Mar offer very complete facilities, with medium and high level rates. Some are old style restored casonas or have large gardens matching the typical landscape of the city. Most hotels are located in the downtown area, near the beach.

A really interesting option is renting an apartment or house with all facilities and services included. In general, they are located in the outskirts of the city, and have a panoramic view of the city and the beach.

Tours in Vina del Mar

Tours in Vina del Mar offer two types of activities: on the one hand, visits to the palaces and old stylish buildings of the golden period of Vina del Mar and, on the other, beautiful beaches and marine landscapes (see packages).

Among the architectural treasures of Vina del Mar, Quinta Vergara, where Vina del Mar International Song Festival takes place every year, Quinta Roja, and Palacio Carrasco stand out. Any of these places is a visit of just a few hours’ walk.

Caleta Abarca is one of the most crowded beaches because it is located in downtown Vina del Mar. It is a bay surrounded by buildings, where gardens make up a beautiful landscape.

Renaca, located 7 Km. (7.3 mi.) to the north of Vina del Mar, is a very popular option. Its large beach, cut out by a beautiful promenade, gathers thousands of youngsters and tourists during the summer. From there, Concón, Playa Cocha, Caleta Higuerilla, and Playa Amarilla beach resorts can be visited (see customers' reviews).

In the outskirts of the city of Vina del Mar, it is possible to visit quieter and more elegant beach resorts, such as Zapallar, and stroll along the internal valleys to enjoy the country landscape and a relaxing bath in the creeks.

Transportation and Car Rental in Vina del Mar

Vina del Mar can be accessed through the airport of Santiago de Chile, located 40 minutes to the north of the capital city. From there, shuttles or buses can be hired.

Car rental in Vina del Mar is the best alternative for visitors who want to visit each section of the coast and enjoy the beach resorts on their own. Rentals have offices downtown, but booking the service in Santiago is cheaper.

Taxis in Vina del Mar are generally expensive; for that reason, the use of collective taxis is a good option. They run fixed routes carrying a small quantity of passengers, and will stop anywhere along the way to take on or discharge them.

There are daily buses to the main cities of Chile, such as Santiago and Valparaíso. The service is good and buses are on time.